PHILADELPHIA — Mark Streit no doubt heard the doubters. How the Flyers handed him a lengthy contract that could theoretically employ him at major dollars while celebrating the big 4-0.

For now, though, Streit is 35 and can fairly be called an elite commodity. Offensive defensemen are never in great supply, and in this free agency season that field seemed especially dry. So late last month the Flyers traded a minor league player and draft pick to the New York Islanders for negotiating rights to Streit, and in quick order signed him to a four-year, $21 million deal.

Hey, in the freewheeling NHL, where this summer owners are spending huge sums to not only bring in players, but to get rid of them, too, what’s the big deal about that deal?

“So what?” Ed Snider said when kidded about the money represented on a Wells Fargo Center dais Tuesday supporting the weighty presence of free agents Streit, Ray Emery and Vinny Lecavalier. “We’re still going to be able to eat three squares a day.”

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Snider is still an owner that hungers for an end to a 38-year Stanley Cup championship drought. Which is, of course, a big reason why Streit wanted to come here.

“As soon as I got traded to the Flyers I was excited and wanted to get (a contract) done,” Streit said. “It worked out perfectly. The most important thing was that I wanted to be on a team that really wants to win. The Flyers have wanted to win for I don’t know how many years. They have great tradition; it’s a hockey town. They have great fans. They want to win every year.”

For the Flyers, one of the most important things they get from their $5.25 million cap hit of a defenseman is a top-unit power play quarterback and constant mobility on the back end.

In 491 games with the Canadiens and New York Islanders, Streit has 65 goals and 288 points. But he’s never had the kind of forward group that the Flyers will present to him.

“As a defenseman, you don’t have to lead the rush, but you have to join the rush in order to create some offense,” Streit said. “That’s my game. I always enjoyed that role.

“With (Claude) Giroux, (Scott) Hartnell ... and Lecavalier now, it’s going to be a pleasure playing with all of these guys.”

To Streit, a native of Switzerland who played in his native land for years before finally being drafted by Montreal in 2004, and who didn’t play with the Habs until after the 2004-05 lockout, that means playing behind all these talented guys for as long as he’s under contract.

“I’m still young,” he said. “I played in the NHL (only) seven seasons. I’m really healthy, I’m really excited and I want to win as badly as anyone else on this team.

“I signed a contract and I want to play up to the contract. I want to show they signed the right guy. I’m excited, I’m thrilled and I know I can play a long time in this league.”

Snider is hoping he can count on that.

“We feel we have three great veterans players here to go along with our kids,” he said. “We didn’t have to give up any kids, any draft picks, anything ... which to me is spectacular.

“I go into every season optimistic and excited, but this is very unique to have three outstanding players on the podium at the same time recently signed. You don’t add three terrific players like this without getting better.”